334764
Strengthening Routine Health Data Reporting with the District Health Management Information Software System v2 (DHIS2) in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC)
Delayed, incomplete, and inaccurate data are common challenges in health program management in Sub-Saharan Africa. DRC’s Ministry of Health (MOH) is implementing the DHIS2 web platform to strengthen health data collection and analysis. Through its DFID-funded Access to Primary Healthcare Program, IMA World Health (IMA) is assisting the MOH to roll out DHIS2 in 49 health zones. The project is working towards improving reporting completion. Timeliness and data quality will be addressed in the future.
Methods
The MOH adopted DHIS2 in March 2013 and piloted it in two provinces in 2014. IMA helped convene eight DHIS2 training workshops for 223 Provincial and Health Zone Officers. To monitor Internet access, essential for web-based reporting, IMA tracked the number of days per month with internet connection. IMA also compared completeness of outpatient reporting before and after DHIS2.
Results
Completeness of reporting decreased from 88% to 30%. Only 36% of the health zones had permanent access to the internet. Other implementation challenges included incomplete software configuration, inappropriate training methodology, and lengthy data collection forms.
Recommendations
Reliable internet access is critical for successful DHIS2 rollout. IMA is improving software configuration, reducing lengthy data collection forms, and modifying training methodology. Although data completeness is an important aspect of routine health data reporting, timeliness and improved data quality of web-based reporting merit further investigation.
Learning Areas:
Communication and informaticsEpidemiology
Program planning
Learning Objectives:
Describe implementation challenges (internet connectivity, software configuration, training methodology, minimum indicator set, data collection forms) associated with web-based reporting in the DRC.
Keyword(s): International Health, Information Technology
Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I have worked in building Monitoring and Evaluation systems and implementing Health Management Information Systems in DR Congo.
Any relevant financial relationships? No
I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.